Assig-nob



W. W. DISMUKES.

FILING CABINET.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 5. i917.

1,303,778. Patented May 13, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

w. w. DISMUKES.

FILING CABINET.

LlCATlON FILED JUNE 5, [917.

1,303,778 Patented May 13, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Unrrn WALTER W. DISMUKES, E NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, ASSIGNOR T0 BRANDON PRINTING 00., 0F NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, A CORPORATION OF TENNESSEE.

FILING-CABINET.

I Specification of Letters Patent. Patented, May 13, 1919.-

Application filed June 5, 1917. Serial No. 173,005.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER W. DISMUKES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Nashville, in the county of Davidson and State of Tennessee, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Filing- Cabinets; and I do hereby declare the fol-. lowing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to filing cabinets, and more particularly to a ledger or other card tray or cabinet.

It is among the objects of the present in vention to provide a tray or cabinet adapted: to receive loose leaves or cards, such, for in'-. stance, as loose leaf ledger members, and. particularly it is an object of the present in vention to facilitate the posting of accounts from and on the leaf sections and "to -facilitate the manipulation of the leaves in thetray or cabinet.

It is, therefore, a feature of my invention to providea tray or cabinet having a receiving section or box preferably with its bottom inclined so that when a number of cards or ledger leaves have been assembled in the box the top edge of each successive leaf is slightly higher than the next leaf toward the rear end of the box, the bottom being inclined downwardly from the front end toward the rear end of the receiving tray.

It is another object'of the presentinvention to facilitatethe posting of the books by providing for the relative offsetting of such leaves or cards as may have received entries during an interim, for instance a day, in the course of business so that when the item has been entered on the ledger leaf and the latter is returned to the receiver or cabinet the card which has been itemizedlis placed in the cabinet in a' relatively offset position to the remaining cards in the cabinet which have not received an entry during the day.

It is therefore an object oftheinventionto provide a card or leaf tray or cabinet of such proportions and construction that the cards are adapted to be held in suitable assembled relation and may be readily and conveniently moved during manipulation by the attendant or bookkeeper, the width of the tray providing for the relative oflsetting of any or all of the cards as may be desired.

A further object of the invention is to provide for the angular "disposition ofthe stack of cards in the tray as may be most conveniently desired by the attendant or bookkeeper, and to that. end a feature of the invention consists in the provision of a movable follower block provided with an adjustable back rest and which tray is also provided with an adjustable front flap or tongue cooperative with the adjustable rest onthe follower block to hold the cards in a desired angular position, and also to lock the cards. 1

A further object of the invention is to provide a loose leaf-or card tray orcabinet having means to accommodate the assembling in the cabinet of cards or leaves of difierent lengths.

Another object of the invention contemplates the provision of a loose leaf cabinet or tray having a detachable and longitudinally adjustable top member capable of being lifted and pushed rearwardly along the receiving member of thetray so that it may be disposed conveniently in a position out of the way without being entirely disconnected'from the receiving member or box of the tray, and which may also be dropped down over the back of the desk when this is possible by the arrangement of the cabinet on the top of the desk or other. support.

Another and important object of the invention is to provide a ledger leaf cabinet structure which provides for the insertion and removal of the individual ledger leaves without necessitating a vertical withdrawing or inserting movement of the leaf a distance substantially equal to the total height of the card before it can be entirely removed from or inserted in the box, and to that end a feature of the invention consists in pro viding a cabinet having a receiving portion I which will hereinafter be referred to as the box with one of its longitudinal or side edges of shorter height than the opposite and pars tion, and in details and combinations of the parts as will be more fully hereinafter described, and shown in the accompanying drawings in which one embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

In the drawings:

I Figure 1 is a perspective view from the right hand side of the device showing the cabinet as arranged on the top of a desk or support with the top of the cabinet pushed to the rear and depending behind the top of the desk.

Fig; 2' is a perspective view showing the cabinet in detail with the cover pushed, partly to the rear of the box.-

Fig. 3. is a. crosssection on line 8-3 of Fig. 1, and

Fig. t is a perspective viewof the detached: follower block with its adjustable back rest looking toward the rear of th block.

It is understood that the cabinet herein.- after described may be built of any suitable material and any. appropriate proportions and dimensions so as to receive various sized cards or ledger leaf sheets which it may be; desired to arrange within the cabinet, and in the illustrated form'of the cabinet there is provided a lower portiong2' which may be termed the box in which there is adapted to be adjusted a stack or horizontal row of cards or ledger leaves as may be desired, which are shown at L in Fig. 1 in dotted lines as provided adjacent one edge with a notch 12 for a purpose to be hereinafter described. The box section 2 is preferably made of a width to receive two sizes of cards, and comprises on one side a wall 4 and on the opposite side a shorter wall 3, the front end of the box being closed as at 5 with a suitably-formed upright end which in the present instance is shown as provided witha curved edge 6. Longitudinally disposed within the box'and extendingparallel with the sides 3 and 4 is arranged a suitably shaped track orguide bar 7 having preferably a vertical, longitudinal edge at 8 and the opposite sideofwhich track maybe beveled as at 9. This track or guide is preferably'made adjustable laterally in the box 2 by the provision of suitable means, as, for instance, screwsor bolts 10, one at eachend, which are adapted to be adjusted in suitable apertures provided therefor inthe bottom 11 of the box.

One of the important objects of the invention is to provide a cabinet for the receptionof cards, loose leaves or the like, which will hold the row of cards in such relation that the successive top edges, of the cards are, each elevated slightly above the other progressively from the rear toward the frontof the cabinet, so that the attendant or bookkeeper may with rapidity and convenience finger or manipulate the top edges of each card in selecting cards from the group. To that end the bottom. 11 of the box. 2 is pref erably given a suitable inclination, as, for instance, one inch in one foot, although this may be varied at will.

For the purpose of holding the cards or leaves securely and compactly in a stack or row when inserted in the box 2, and to pre vent their curling or bending, I provide appropriate clamping means which consist in the illustrated embodiment of the invention in a front flap or presser device 12 which is hingedly or otherwise suitably connected, as at 12,, at its lower end to the bottom 11 of the box, the flap 12 being preferably of a width substantially" equal to the, distance'betweenthe side wall 4t and the adjacent vertical surface 8 ofthe guide rail 7 which is substantiallyequal to the width of the leaves of the smaller dimension. adapted to be arranged in the box, and to support this swinging'flap or presser device in the desired forward or perpendicular position there is providedxto bear against the front surface thereof a swinging brace 13 which is hingedly connected at one end to the rear surface of the front end 5 of the box, the brace: 13 being adapted to be lifted to a vertical position to permit the flap 12 to swing forwardly, and it is also capable of being.

swung downwardly to a horizontal position at the rear of the end 5 to press the flap 12 rearwardly' to a vertical position, as shown in Fig. 2. Cooperating with the front clamping device or flap .12 there is arranged and slidably mounted within the box 2' a suitable follower block indicated at 14, the block having its ends extended beyond the lower portions of the walls 3 and4e to operate in channels15 provided therefor in the sides of thebox 2 so that the follower block 14 is prevented from having vertical movement but=is adapted to be shifted longitudinally' of the box so that an upwardly extending back rest- 16, hingedly connected at 17' at its lower end to the follower block 14, may be moved to the desired position against the last of the row of leaves in the box. Different attendants or bookkeepers having charge of these devices desire tohave the cards or leaves presented to them atvarious angles during the manipulation of the leaves, and it is one ofthe objects of the present invention to provide for this variation of the angular presentation of the leaves in the box as the individual taste of the bookkeeper or attendant may elect. and for that reason I have provided the front hingedly mounted presser flap 12 and the rear swinging back rest 16 hinged to the follower'block, and in order to support the back rest'16 in any suitable angular position it is provided on its rear surface, as shown in Fig. 4, with a, series of'lugs or shoulders 18 spaced vertically along the back rest 16' at suitable pitch from; each other to receive. the upper end of a lattdi or locking; device libe . box, and yet 19 also hingedly connected to the follower block 14 so that when the follower block is moved to bring the back rest 16 to the desired position the latter may be supported in angular relation to the cards or leaves as may be desired. Preferably the flap 12 is of much less length than the width of the box so as to provide a ready view of the offset cards or sheets.

To accommodate the arrangement of cards or leaves of different length within the box 2, the follower block 14 is shown as provided with a transverse notch or cut away portion 14 which provides space for the reception of the transversely adjustable guide track 7 which may be moved from its innermost position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, to. a position nearer the adjacent wall 3 of the box 2. Thefollower block may be provided with any suitable means for temporarily. securing it in anywdesiredzposition with relation to the box 2, and this means may comprise a suitable spring-actuated brake mechanism including blocks 14 arranged in the ends of the block 14 and adapted to be sprung outwardly by springsl 14 toengage. theverticalend Walls of the guideways 15 in which the ends of the block 14 slide. The blocks'14 may be retracted to release the follower block 14 through means of a pair of grips illustrated at 14, Fig. 4.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of a suitable cover for the receiving section or box 2 of the cabinet, this cover being illustrated at 20 and'is of substantially the same proportions as the box section 2 being provided at its front end with a wall 21 having a curved edge 22 adapted to fit down over the front end 5 of the box 2 and fit the upper curved edge of the latter. To facilitate the uncovering of the cards or leaves which may be contained in the box 2, and to provide for the adjustment of the cover 20 of the cabinet rearwardly with relation to the box 2 to afford ready access to the cards or leaves in the revent the entire removal of the cover, this latter is shown as having downwardly extending bottom side flanges 23 to overlap the side walls 3 and 4 of the box, these side flanges being provided with longitudinally extending slots 24 to receive suitable supporting means secured on the rear end of the box 2. In this instance the supports comprise rollers 25 which are mounted on bolts or other suitable supports 26 which may be mounted in rearwardly extending brackets 27 fastened to the rear end of the box 2. By this means the box cover 20, when it is lifted slightly at its forward end to disengage the front end of the higher wall 4 of the box, may then be moved rearwardly substantially horizontally to the desired position, or swung upwardly about the supporting rollers 25 when the box cover 20 may then be dropped vertically to the position shown in Fig. 1 when the cabinet 1s -arranged on the top of a desk or the like, whichwill permit the cover 20 to be lowered downwardly at the rear end of the box 2. By providing the bolts 26 for supporting the rollers 25 when it is desired to entirely detach the'cover 20 from the box 2 it is only necessary to remove the bolts 26 from their supporting brackets 27.

When the device is in use the attendant or bookkeeper may arrange the cards or leaves as indicated at L in the box 2 so that one vertical edge of the leaves rests against the higher vertical wall 4 and the lower right hand corners, for instance, of the leaves rest against the/adjacent vertical edge 8 of the guide bar or track 7 in which instance the notch newillbe disposed within. the track 7 When a'card or leaf is removed for entry or other purpose it may thenbe returned to the box 2 and the card L ofiset to the position shown in Fig. 1 with relation to theremaining cards in the box, in which position the notch 72 will straddle the guide bar or track 7 andthe card be held against accidental shifting movementiwhe'n it. is adjusted in the box, and therefore there is provided ready means for-positioning certain-of the cards in offset relation to the cards in the box, for the ready access by the attendant, to the offset cards in the box.

What is claimed as new is:

l. A leaf or card cabinet or tray comprising a receiving section having a bottom i11- clining downwardly from the front end of the tray toward the rear for the purpose of presenting the top edges of the leaves successively one below the other to facilitate manipulation, and laterally adjustable means extending longitudinally of the bottom for engaging the cards.

2. A leaf or card cabinet having a box section with vertical side walls and a bottom elevated at its front end between the walls and extending in an inclined plane down wardly toward the rear of the box, and laterally adjustable means extending longitudinally of the bottom for engaging the cards.

3. A leaf or card cabinet having a box section with vertical side walls and a bottom elevated at its front end between the walls and extending in an inclined plane downwardly toward the rear of the box, and adjustable means for sup porting inserted leaves in upright position in the box, and laterally adjustable means extending longitudinally of the bottom for engaging the cards.

4. In a ledger leaf, or the like, cabinet, a box section, a follower block movable toward or from the front end of said section and having a tiltable back rest to engage and support the leaves at the desired position upright in the box, means for regulating the osition of said rest, said block having a recess, and a lateral guide for a row of leaves, along whichsaid block is adjustable, which extends through said recess.

, 5. In. a ledger leaf, or the like, cabinet, a box section, a follower block movable toward or from the front. end of said section and having: a tiltable back rest to: engage and support the leaves at the desired position upright in" the boX, means for regulating the position of Said rest, said block having a recess,.- and a lateral-guide for a row of leaves, along which said block is adjustable, whichextends through said recess,said guide laterally adjustable to engage rows of leaves of difi'erent widths, 1

6. In. a ledger or the like cabinet, a box section having a movable follower block.

with a tiltable brace, and a back plate hinged on the block and controlled by the brace,

and-anadjustable head rest at the front end inside the box and having a brace, between which plate and rest inserted leaves may be:

arranged-in groups.

7 L Ina ledgerleaf or the like cabinet, a

box section having a movable follower block with atiltable plate and means: on the block for-supporting the plate. in various angles,

the Width'ofthe' box tepermit the leaves torbe readily observed when relatively ofiset asitor the same. I

9i A "posting box of the character described and comprising the box proper,

hinged front plate, a hinged stop. plateav which two opposite positions. cooperates" with said front plate to hold it vertical in the one-position. and tilte'd'i-n the other, and a rear plate which is. adjustablefrom front to rear and. angularlyadjustable, and a rfol lower block, .0115 which the rear plate is hinged,having an; adj ustab'le. stop for the plate. a

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

- I WALTER W. DISMUKES.

Cogiewf'thit; patent may be: obtained for five cents each; by addressing the Commissioner of Patents;

WasMnz'ton m-Ga" 

